Rejected the Knight's of Labor and their idea of one big union
Was more of an association of several independent craft unions
Rejected women in the paid work force; Gompers argued that they serve a greater purpose at home
Rejected the creation of a worker's party
Against government interference in labor and working conditions- believed the government would most likely repeal policies
Concentrated on improving relationship between workers and their employers
Attained its goal through collective bargaining rather than strikes
Supported better wages, better working conditions, and later demanded an 8 hour national work day
Later opposed the idea of "Industrial Unionism," which says that all workers in an industry should be a single union, regardless of what function the workers perform
Gompers photo
Samuel Gompers
The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO):
Committee that rivaled the AFL
Established in 1936
Led by John L. Lewis, who had worked in the AFL, but walked out after fights with AFL leaders
Represented all workers, skilled and unskilled
Supported the idea of "Industrial Unionism," because unskilled workers could be a part of any function in any industry
More receptive to women and African Americans
Was "militant": organized battles (ex. Sit-Down Strikes) in certain industries, such as the automobile and steel industry
John L. Lewis
AFL-CIO:
formed in 1955 when the AFL and the CIO merged after decades of differences
represents nearly all unionized workers in the United States
The American Federation of Labor (AFL):
One of the major labor groups is the late 1800s
Established in 1881
Led by Samuel Gompers
Represented mainly skilled workers
Rejected the Knight's of Labor and their idea of one big union
Was more of an association of several independent craft unions
Rejected women in the paid work force; Gompers argued that they serve a greater purpose at home
Rejected the creation of a worker's party
Against government interference in labor and working conditions- believed the government would most likely repeal policies
Concentrated on improving relationship between workers and their employers
Attained its goal through collective bargaining rather than strikes
Supported better wages, better working conditions, and later demanded an 8 hour national work day
Later opposed the idea of "Industrial Unionism," which says that all workers in an industry should be a single union, regardless of what function the workers perform
The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO):
Committee that rivaled the AFL
Established in 1936
Led by John L. Lewis, who had worked in the AFL, but walked out after fights with AFL leaders
Represented all workers, skilled and unskilled
Supported the idea of "Industrial Unionism," because unskilled workers could be a part of any function in any industry
More receptive to women and African Americans
Was "militant": organized battles (ex. Sit-Down Strikes) in certain industries, such as the automobile and steel industry
AFL-CIO:
formed in 1955 when the AFL and the CIO merged after decades of differences
represents nearly all unionized workers in the United States